The Roles & Responsibilities of An Intellectual Property Attorney
By Edwin Walker
07 Jan 2023
An intellectual property attorney is a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property law and represents clients in matters related to their copyrights, trademarks, and patents. IP attorneys are well-versed in the legal aspects of copyright infringement and trademark infringement. They advise their clients on preserving, protecting, and defending their intellectual property rights.
Roles & Responsibilities of An Intellectual Property Attorney
Helping Trademark Owners
An IP attorney helps a trademark owner in applying for trademarks. The attorney also guides the client through the registration process for a brand.
Providing Advice on Patents
An IP lawyer advises patent owners on how patent protection can help them get licensing arrangements or prevent others from using their contentious and non-contentious products or services without their permission.
Helping Business Owners Defend Against Trademark Infringement
An IP attorney advises and assists a business owner in defending against trademark infringement claims. The lawyer gets the client to realize that the protection of trademarks is a necessary and critical aspect of business operations.
Acting as Agent
An IP lawyer acts as an agent for a trademark owner or licensor in an assignment of a trademark or copyright. The attorney then works on behalf of the client to protect and enforce their client's rights under that license or franchise agreement by voting, selling, licensing, and collecting royalties.
Other Undeniably Important Roles Of IP Attorneys
Negotiating Licensing Agreements with Third Parties
An IP lawyer negotiates and drafts agreements with third parties on behalf of clients. These agreements may include trademark licensing agreements, copyright assignments, distribution and agency agreements, and software development agreements.
Representing Clients in Litigation and Arbitration
An IP attorney represents clients in filing claims against third parties. They also defend those claims in court on behalf of clients against other people and companies. The lawyer also represents clients in settling and resolving disputes before a court.
Drafting Documents, Such as Software Development Agreements
An IP lawyer drafts software development agreements with their clients to protect their intellectual property rights to the software under development. The lawyer also advises clients on how to protect their intellectual property rights in computer software, including the use of software patents.
An IP attorney deals with the legal aspects of a company's intellectual property and ensures that clients protect and prevent unauthorized use of their valuable intellectual property rights. Without the assistance of an attorney, a client may miss out on many invention opportunities in business that concern their intellectual property.